The Lazy g
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:51 am Post subject: Help with my tomatoe plants please |
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Hi there I am growing tomatoe plants right now that are just seedlings and I am new to growing... I have 3 plants in one dixie cup.Should I just cut away 2 plants in each cup and leave the strongest.. I was thinking if I left them growing that close to each other one plant may eventually block off sun to the other plant etc.. So am i correct is that the right thing to do is just keep the strongest one of each cup? -thanks
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reggaefan
Zone 8b Louisiana
Posts: 2475
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:11 am Post subject: |
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It is best to thin to the strongest to get the biggest best quality tomatoes.
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Richard
"We have met the enemy,and it is us." POGO
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The Lazy g
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:14 am Post subject: um |
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by thin you mean cut away leaving the strongest plant or what?
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reggaefan
Zone 8b Louisiana
Posts: 2475
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:17 am Post subject: |
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Yes cut away all but the strongest
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Richard
"We have met the enemy,and it is us." POGO
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The Lazy g
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:19 am Post subject: |
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ok ty! also when i meant new to growing i never fertilized a plant b4 lol.. is it to early to start giving them fertilizers?
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southern bell
South Carolina
Posts: 101
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:58 am Post subject: |
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Hi lazy g, and welcome. If they were my plants, I'd just pull two plants from each cup and replant in separate containers. Why not grow all six? Never know, you may lose one or two later. I wouldn't fertilize yet as it will make them shoot up fast and the stems would be spindley and weak.
I always planted mine in a container that allowed me to add more soil around the stalks as they grew to assure they didn't get "top heavy" and fall over. Once they get a good start and the stalks fatten up add fertilizer. I use miracle grow while they are in cups. Once moved to garden or gallon pot, I switch to a granule fertilizer. I'm no expert but I've grown a few tomatoes in my time. This past spring I planted 175 plants and jarred qiute a few quarts of tomatoes. Good luck with your plants.
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Gloria
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reggaefan
Zone 8b Louisiana
Posts: 2475
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Southern Belle Gave you excellent advice, I would have told you to separate and keep them all too. I was under the impression you had limited space though, as far as the fertilization she was dead on. That is what is so good about this place everyone is helpful. Take pics when they start to make tomatoesand let us seee your handiwork dont get discouraged everyonee was a rookie at one time. Good luck
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Richard
"We have met the enemy,and it is us." POGO
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wannabe
Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 2002
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| Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome and good luck with your tomato plants. Wannabe
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The Lazy g
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:50 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all your advice although I have only 2 plants now but whatever less work I like to keep things simple. I'll keep ya updated when they get bigger
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glendann
Texas
Posts: 9228
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:25 am Post subject: |
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southern bell gave the same advice I would.Good Luck
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CritterPainter
Washington State
Posts: 1425
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:28 am Post subject: |
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Please pardon an observation, but those look like the blue plastic dixie cups? Do be sure to poke a hole in the bottom so your plants don't get too soggy (I know too well wherof I speak!)
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Mary 
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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Hank
Wisconsin
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent advice Southern Belle.
If I may add: Don't worry if they do get too top heavy or "leggy" at this point. Tomatoes are wonderfully forgiving if you plant them too deep. What I mean by this is if they do get too leggy, just plant them really deep, long stem and all, leaving the leaves out of the soil, of course. The stem will form roots, and you'll have a stronger root base with which to help feed the plant and the fruits it produces. One of the most important things about tomatoes is getting a good root foundation gowing.
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